Part 3, A Kingdom of Nuisances and Nobodies Summary and Analysis

The quote at the beginning of this section comments on the breadth of meanings associated with the concept of "basileia" or rule during the Greco-Roman period of history.

The author discusses different relationships between power and government as defined by different perspectives on earthly vs. heavenly power. He suggests that instead of preaching the more apocalyptic and messianic vision of transformation taught by John the Baptist and other prophets, Jesus was an advocate of an age-old, cross cultural belief that it was possible to live according to the rules of the Kingdom of God in the here and now, a philosophical and theological perspective that, he adds, that was entirely in keeping with his being a part of, and orientation towards helping, the poor.

The author suggests that Jesus'...